Romchyk needs a shunt to live

When little Roma was born in the Frolov family, happiness knew no bounds. The two-year-old Cyril was most happy because he is now an adult, he is now an older brother! But the joy was not long, on the third day the baby began to choke, he was placed in a pressure chamber, and on day 10 he was transferred from the hospital to the regional children's hospital. Genetics voiced the diagnosis of Osteochondrodysplasia of the tubular bones with hydrocephalus and warned parents that such children can live no longer than a month. Roma denied all forecasts, at 8 months he was still living! But he could not sit, the weight of the grown head did not allow the baby to hold it. Donetsk doctors recommended urgent surgery. 

The surgery was successful. The kid grew stronger, began to develop. He did not start walking, but very quickly moved around the apartment on all fours. When little Ilya appeared in the Frolov family, Roma was already 2 years old. And, it can be said that it was Ilya who taught Roma to walk. Roma simply repeated everything after the younger brother. It was a real miracle.

But hydrocephalus made itself felt. Surgery is actually the only way to combat this disease. In order to remove excess fluid from the cranial cavity, shunting is usually used. At the age of 3 years, the baby again underwent surgery – a shunt was installed in the head. Small children are usually given a fixed shunt for brain bypass surgery, and then it replaced with a programmed shunt, which allows adjusting the outflow of fluid individually without repeated surgeries. Now Roma is already 10 years old, despite his diagnoses, the boy tries to be in a good mood, goes to school, studies well knows how to charm others and make them fell in love with himself.

Not so long ago, Roman’s children's shunt stopped working. It is urgently needed to replace it with a new programmable one, with such shunt many complications will be avoided. And most importantly, it is safer for the child and is installed for entire life. But these models are expensive and a large family is not financially able to purchase it on their own. What happens if the shunt is not replaced? Excess cerebrospinal fluid will put pressure on the brain - and this will lead to gross neurological disorders, decreased vision, weakness in the upper and lower extremities, reduced intellectual abilities, and ultimately will lead to death.
Even 25 years ago, a patient with hydrocephalus had almost no chance to survive. Early help now saves 95% of patients.

By helping the Frolov family to get a shunt, you save the life of Roma!

Name: Frolov Roman, 14.09.2009

City: Sloviansk, Donets region

Diagnosis: osteochondrodysplasia of the tubular bones and spine, hydrocephalus